The Oinousses have always been considered the islands of shipowners. The first commercial Greek steamboats were owned by Oinoussians, marking the first chapter in the history of modern Greek shipping. It is no coincidence that numerous shipping tycoons hail from here, or that visitors are welcomed at the harbor by the statue of the Mother from Oinousses, who sees off her children on sea voyages, as well as a bronze statue of a mermaid, crowned and holding a sailing ship in her left hand, an eternal companion of sailors.The island, with an area of just 15 km², has schools at all levels, crowned by the Maritime Lyceum and the Merchant Marine Academy, alma maters of more than 1,500 captains serving the world’s merchant navy. The Maritime Museum exhibits blueprints of sailing ships and steamboats launched from Oinousses in the early 20th century, which became part of the international shipping world.During the summer months, shipowners, captains, and expatriates return to their homeland, opening their mansions and turning this remote Aegean island into a cosmopolitan retreat. The center of the traditional settlement, with its brick-roofed houses, is dominated by the magnificent Church of St. Nicholas, patron of seafarers. Beautifully decorated with icons and numerous votive offerings, the church comes alive on August 15 (Feast of the Dormition), when the women of Oinousses revive the religious custom of the burial of the Virgin Mary.Numerous other feasts take place throughout the summer, as the dozens of scattered chapels on the islands celebrate and welcome worshippers who travel by caique to honor their patron saints.The picturesque Monastery of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, donated by the Pateras family, is an architectural masterpiece on the west coast of the island, evoking the atmosphere of Mount Athos. A hermitage and spiritual refuge, it soothes the pilgrim’s soul. Exceptional hagiographies by Fotis Kontoglou, along with many relics and items of worship, adorn the Catholicon. Visitors are offered treats produced by the monastery, leaving a sweet memory of their visit. The nuns provide guidance through the monastery’s facilities and the surrounding 500 acres, which include three chapels, an aqueduct, and more.Quiet beaches shaded by sycamore and fig trees, along abandoned vineyard terraces, reflect the area’s viticultural past. Notable beaches include Bilali, Fasoli, and the large sandy beach of Apiganos, which also has a small marina. Further north, Fokia and Tselepi, and on the northern coast, Kochlakas and Katsika, are more remote, virgin beaches exposed to the August meltemi. The eastern coasts—Agios Ioannis, the bay of Fourkeros, Aspalathrokampos, Marmaros, and Aliki—offer picturesque, quiet shores with sand and crystal-clear waters, waiting to be explored.Opposite Zepaga, visitors can swim to the nearby islet of Pateroniso, where the Church of Sotiras stands, as well as adjacent islets with the churches of Agia Aikaterini and Agios Panteleimon. Each year, chartered boats also take visitors to the islet of Panagia, 10 minutes from Oinousses, where the Church of Zoodochos Pigi holds its annual August celebration.For hiking enthusiasts, Oinousses is ideal. The island’s low hills provide healthy walks with stunning views combining the greenery of the landscape with the deep blue of the sea. Photographers will also find inspiration in the island’s landscapes and the beauty of its people.Visitors can enjoy Oinousses’ wildflowers year-round. The study of the local flora, particularly its unique orchids, by Pantelis Saliaris has attracted the attention of international botanists.